Cooktown Museum

20/08/2026

A warm Far North welcome! 🌿

We're delighted to welcome Alicen as the new Manager of Cooktown Museum!

If you're up in Cooktown, the Museum is an absolute must-visit - housed in the beautifully restored 1888 Convent of Mercy, it's packed with stories of, the gold rush era, and the town's rich maritime and Indigenous history, including stories around Guugu Yimithiir culture, early encounters with Lt. James Cook, and one of Australia’s first recorded acts of reconciliation.

Whether you're passing through or planning to stay a while, it's one of the best ways to get to know this remarkable part of Queensland.

Come by, say hello to Alicen and the team, and discover why Cooktown Museum is such a special place to explore. 🏛️

29/07/2026

🚧 Cooktown Museum is closed today!
A reminder that we're closed today, Thursday 30 July, for planned electrical maintenance works by Ergon Energy.
Back to normal opening hours from tomorrow, Friday 31 July.

Thanks for your patience!

26/07/2026

⏰ Reminder: Cooktown Museum
Just a heads-up - Cooktown Museum will be closed this Thursday 30 July for planned electrical maintenance works by Ergon Energy.
We'll be back to normal opening hours from 10:30am Friday 31 July. Thanks for your patience!

23/07/2026

📢 Notice: Cooktown Museum Closure
Cooktown Museum will be closed this Thursday 30 July for planned electrical maintenance works by Ergon Energy.
We'll be back open as usual from 10:30am Friday 31 July, thanks for your understanding!

19/06/2026

What a start to the festival! 🌟

If you missed yesterday, don't worry — there's still so much to experience this weekend at the Cooktown Discovery Festival, including right here at the museum.

🏛️ This afternoon at Cooktown Museum:
📍 1:00–1:45pm | History of the Cooktown Convent — presented by Veronica O'Brien. A captivating look at the story of the Sisters of Mercy and the convent's place in Cooktown's heritage. Free with museum entry.

The rest of your Saturday lineup around Cooktown:

🥁 Festival Street parade through the C*D
⚓ Re-enactment of Captain Cook's landing
🚢 River cruises along the Endeavour River
🛍️ Village markets
🎶 Live music and entertainment
💃 Traditional Guugu Yimithirr dance and cultural program
Tomorrow (Sunday 21 June) the festival wraps up with its final day of events — a wonderful chance to soak up the last of the festivities before the town settles back in.

📍 Cooktown Museum | Helen Street, Cooktown
🔗

See Kingswood Live! Explore our Festival Join our Parade Join us back in time View festival events Plan Your Festival Everything you need to make the most of your Cooktown Discovery Festival experience. What’s On Explore the full weekend lineup including KINGSWOOD LIVE! View Events Festival Progra...

18/06/2026

🎉 The Cooktown Discovery Festival is HERE!

Happy festival weekend, Cooktown! Today marks the start of three incredible days celebrating this town's extraordinary history, culture and community.
🏛️ Join us at Cooktown Museum this afternoon:

📍 1:00–1:45pm | Gold Rush — a fascinating presentation by John Stretton on the Palmer River gold rush and its lasting impact on Cooktown. Free with museum entry.

What else is happening today around town:
🎶 Live music and entertainment throughout the C*D
🥁 Guugu Yimithirr cultural performances
🛍️ Village markets
🎆 Fireworks display tonight

Come in, explore the museum, and stay for the talk. We'd love to see you!
📍 Cooktown Museum | Helen Street, Cooktown
🔗

See Kingswood Live! Explore our Festival Join our Parade Join us back in time View festival events Plan Your Festival Everything you need to make the most of your Cooktown Discovery Festival experience. What’s On Explore the full weekend lineup including KINGSWOOD LIVE! View Events Festival Progra...

18/06/2026

Tomorrow the fun begins! 🎊

The Cooktown Discovery Festival kicks off Friday 19 June, and we're proud to be part of the program here at Cooktown Museum.
Whether you're a lifelong local or visiting for the festival, come and explore what makes this town so special — from Captain Cook's 1770 landing to the gold rush era and beyond.
✨ Our festival weekend presentations:

🟡 Friday 19 June 1–1:45pm | Gold Rush — John Stretton takes us back to the wild days of the Palmer River gold rush and what it meant for Cooktown's story.

🟡 Saturday 20 June 1–1:45pm | History of the Cooktown Convent — Veronica O'Brien shares the remarkable history of one of Cooktown's most beloved heritage buildings.

Heading into the weekend? The full festival lineup includes street parades, the Guugu Yimithirr cultural program, village markets, live music, river cruises, and a fireworks display. There is so much to see and do!
See the full program at https://brnw.ch/21x3r7t 🌟

See Kingswood Live! Explore our Festival Join our Parade Join us back in time View festival events Plan Your Festival Everything you need to make the most of your Cooktown Discovery Festival experience. What’s On Explore the full weekend lineup including KINGSWOOD LIVE! View Events Festival Progra...

16/06/2026

Cooktown Discovery Festival is almost here — and we're excited to be part of it!
This Friday and Saturday, Cooktown Museum will be hosting two special presentations as part of the 2026 Cooktown Discovery Festival program. From gold rush stories to convent history, there's something for every local history lover.
📅 Save the dates:

🔹 Friday 19 June, 1:00–1:45pm — Gold Rush with John Stretton
🔹 Saturday 20 June, 1:00–1:45pm — History of the Cooktown Convent with Veronica O'Brien

Both presentations are free with museum entry.
The full festival runs 19–21 June across Cooktown — parades, markets, live music, river cruises, re-enactments and more.

See you there! 🎉
Full festival program:

See Kingswood Live! Explore our Festival Join our Parade Join us back in time View festival events Plan Your Festival Everything you need to make the most of your Cooktown Discovery Festival experience. What’s On Explore the full weekend lineup including KINGSWOOD LIVE! View Events Festival Progra...

24/04/2026

02/04/2026

Enjoy the Easter long weekend!
Please note that Cooktown will be open on Saturday 4 April, 10:30am – 3:30pm only. We'll be back to regular opening hours from Tuesday 7 April 2026 onwards.